Academic Integrity: Contract Cheating

Contract cheating is a form of academic dishonesty in which a student uses a third party (an online company or other individual) to complete their academic work for them and then take credit for it as their own work. 

Academic file sharing is one type of contract cheating in which students upload and share assignments, tests or other course materials to websites without their instructor's knowledge or permission.

Warning! If a student shares course materials on contract cheating websites, they are using copyright protected materials without permission and violating the Academic Integrity Policy. NSCC can identify students who upload content to these websites.

Have questions or concerned that you may have unknowingly used a contract cheating site, contact your Campus Library or the Copyright Office.

Make sure you understand the NSCC Academic Integrity Policy and academic misconduct consequences. 

• Do NOT upload assignments, tests or other course materials to websites.
• Do NOT purchase an assignment or paper from an online website.
• Do NOT have someone else do your academic work and take credit for it as your own work. This is also a form of plagiarism.
• Do NOT have someone take a test in your place.
• Do NOT share your work with others. Sharing your work (without faculty permission) is a form of academic misconduct.

Be aware that contract cheating company websites are predatory and often disguise their services as "homework help" or "tutoring support".

• These websites put students at risk of academic misconduct and violating copyright law.
• Registration is required to upload, access and use content posted to the website.
• Payment is often required to use the website content and services. Some companies have been known to threaten students by asking for more money or they will contact their school or instructor to expose them as a cheater.
• Many websites reward students who upload course materials by giving them access to their website content and services without having to pay.

Examples of websites to avoid. These websites are not acceptable because they don't meet NSCC academic integrity standards.

• Course Hero
• StuDocU
• Easy EDU
• Docsity
• Chegg
• Thinkswap

For NSCC approved tutoring and assignment help, visit Tutoring Services.

Use NSCC learning supports and resources:

• Get research, academic integrity, citation and assignment help at your Campus Library or Library Live Chat.
• Check out NSCC Tutoring Services including:
  • Peer Assisted Learning Supports (PALS) for group or one-to-one peer support in your program or courses.
  • TutorMe, a free online tutoring service available 24/7 for NSCC students.
  • Cultural tutoring supports.
• Book an appointment with the NSCC Writing Centre.
• Book an appointment or join a webinar for English as an Additional Language (EAL) Support.
• Talk to a Counsellor.or access available mental wellness resources if you're experiencing anxiety or feeling overwhelmed by course work.
• Book an appointment with your Student Services Advisor.

Centennial College Libraries. (2020, October 20). Contract cheating [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/G3zQx7gr3Pk

For NSCC specific supports,

• check out available Libraries and Learning Commons supports to help you with your research, assignments, test preparation, tutoring, etc..
• talk to a Counsellor.or access available mental wellness resources if you're experiencing anxiety or feeling overwhelmed .
• book an appointment with your Student Services Advisor.